Our Works of Charity / David Bethuram

‘Homeless and without hope,’ couple turns to Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities staff and volunteers often find great satisfaction in assisting individuals striving to do their best for their families. Frequently, they encounter people facing tragic and unfortunate situations. I’d like to share two stories of individuals who experienced life-altering misfortunes, but were driven by the love of their families to persevere and achieve good.

Michael grew up in a single-parent home and became a father at the age of 15. He dropped out of school, but later turned to Job Corps to earn his GED and build valuable skills. Job Corps, a free education and career technical training program operated by the U.S. Department of Labor, helps young people ages 16 to 24 improve their lives through career and academic training. Despite the end of his relationship with his son’s mother, Michael continued to support his son financially into adulthood.

Michael eventually found love again and remarried, having five beautiful children. He built a career in metal works for the military, providing for his family.

However, their lives took a turn when his wife struggled with severe addiction. Heartbroken, Michael dedicated himself to supporting her recovery. Realizing the need to protect his children, he decided to move them to a healthier environment.

This move meant leaving his job, their hometown and their familiar life. Seven years have passed since then. The transition was tough. After living with his mother for a year, Michael and his family moved to Indiana. There, he found a supportive community and a church home but struggled to find a well-paying job. Usually reluctant to ask for help, Michael finally reached out to Catholic Charities when he could no longer manage on his own.

Our team listened and provided essential support, including food and necessities. Once Michael secured housing, Catholic Charities assisted with rent and some furnishings, helping the family settle in. When his car broke down, he received bus passes to maintain his job—which he loves—and which supports his family.

Now, Michael spends his free time preparing meals, helping with homework and enjoying time with his children, helping them thrive. He said, “It’s my children that keep me going; they are my motivation to move forward and succeed. … Catholic Charities has been a truly amazing blessing to me and my family.”

Margaret, an 85-year-old grandmother, continues to stay strong. When her grandchildren were at risk of entering foster care, she stepped in to raise them. Despite her age, she works part time to meet their needs because growing children often require more food than she can afford. Margaret visits a Catholic Charities food pantry weekly to obtain nutritious food for her family.

Catholic Charities has seen a rise in grandparents like Margaret taking in their grandchildren due to parental joblessness, addiction or incarceration. Previously, Margaret taught English and ran a small alterations business, which was destroyed in the 2008 Morgan County floods. She planned to retire and live off Social Security, but circumstances changed.

With support from community partners and donors, Catholic Charities helps Margaret stock her pantry, ensuring she and her grandchildren don’t go hungry.

“I have one grandchild I’ve raised since she was 1, then her two little sisters had to come to live with me,” Margaret shared. “It was really hard. They’re now 14, 12 and 11. They eat a lot. Food distributions have helped tremendously.”
 

(David Bethuram is executive director of the archdiocesan Secretariat for Catholic Charities. You can contact him at dbethuram@archindy.org.) †